In a recent interview with The Verge, Atlantic's CEO, Nicholas Thompson, confirmed that OpenAI is working on a search product that will include content from The Atlantic. "OpenAI has said that they’re going to build a search product and… we have allowed them to include The Atlantic" he noted. This means that both companies have entered a partnership to leverage AI.

The primary drivers for this partnership with OpenAI are revenue generation, increased traffic, and the opportunity to shape the future of AI in journalism. Thompson emphasized the importance of being part of the AI transition, stating, “AI is coming. It is coming quickly. We want to be part of whatever transition happens.” This proactive approach will ensure that The Atlantic remains at the forefront of technological advancements while safeguarding its journalistic integrity. In the interview, Thompson outlined the specifics of the deal and its potential impacts, shedding light on the motivations and future implications of this strategic alliance. 

Search product inclusion

The Atlantic will be integrated into OpenAI's upcoming search product as part of the deal. This integration will ensure that The Atlantic's content is easily accessible through future AI-driven search engines. Thompson believes it is advantageous for The Atlantic to contribute to how people consume news in the AI era.

Data training rights

For the next two years, OpenAI will have the right to use The Atlantic's content to train its large language models. This access is important for OpenAI as it allows their AI systems to incorporate high-quality journalistic material that will enhance the accuracy and relevance of the AI's outputs. Through the depth and rigor of The Atlantic's reporting, OpenAI hopes to improve the quality of its language models.

Product partnership

Another significant component of the deal is the allocation of credits to The Atlantic, which they can use to develop business tools with OpenAI’s technology. “We were building tools on the business side with the engineering team that is using OpenAI.  So we don’t have to rely on Llama, we are just using OpenAI,” Thompson stated. 

This partnership will lead to the creation of new products. One such innovation is a Chrome extension designed to connect readers with relevant stories from The Atlantic, streamlining access to their content.

 Iterative development

A unique aspect of this deal is the feedback loop established between The Atlantic and OpenAI. This process will allow The Atlantic to influence how OpenAI’s browse mode interacts with media content. This collaboration ensures continuous improvement and alignment with journalistic values. It seeks to maintain the integrity and trustworthiness of the information.

Potential implications for the companies

From a marketing viewpoint, both parties will potentially attract more traffic that will increase their revenue through enhanced accessibility and engagement with high-quality content. For instance, despite not being able to disclose the exact revenue figure, Thompson observed that “…it is a fair exchange in value.” 

However, Thompson acknowledged the risks in partnering with tech giants, citing past experiences with companies like Google and Facebook, which have often shifted their strategies, impacting media partnerships. Nonetheless, he remains optimistic about the potential benefits of this deal. “We believe the odds of it being good for journalism and the kind of work we do with The Atlantic are higher if we participate in it,” he noted.